May madness- Exterior details come together

In the true Queen Anne Victorian style, interior details including moldings, baseboard and rosettes were all the rage. But the exterior also had it's own levels of moldings, color accents and decorated posts.

Exterior dormer with triangle vent. Each vent is different in style and shape. This one was salvaged from the original house.

Repaired and primed, ready for color.

Red accent is carried from the original coloring of the front round dormer vent.

"Fish scale" siding is hung on each dormer to provide texture and variety. These fish scale shingles were pre-painted.Note the completed porch columns. They balance the height of the porch bringing a traditional feel to the otherwise new structure.

AA close look at the upper molding, flat facing, under piece (it has a technical name that I forget) and a second layer of crown molding will be placed once the fish scales are in.

North facing dormer has completed fish scales and crown molding. It is awaiting it's unique vent.

Not quite as artistic as the original carpenters may have created, this vent will also be painted red and with the color we hope the small notches will become more visible.

Reflection of sun set in the windows really accents their position and height.

All 5-6 layers of wood decoration travels the surround of the house giving it a detailed Victorian look . The paint colors will be critical in helping this detail stand out, but not overpower the small house. Inset areas of pillars will also be called upon to carry some color but subtlety is the key. Window sashes and frames are all in place.

A second look at the side view, all of the moldings and sidings are now in place. The porch floor is complete and still covered with tools.

Side cement stairs have been partially demolished to allow room for the new cement landing and stairs. Existing stairs did not fit safety code and after we had two people take a tumble, we decided safety was more important than history. Sorry old stairs, you served us well. They will be concealed inside the new cement envelope, but the 6 by 6 foot landing will make for a much more comfortable entrance into the dining room/mud room. Note the huge air return running behind stairs. The new HVAC system will move much more air and hopefully keep us very comfortable.

Exterior clean-up started by removing the debris that had accumulated along the side fence. I don't have a pre-photo, this is after lots and lots of hauling. The edge of the deck has rotted out,  so another project added to the list. The back fence area will be sparse Jade plants to allow for easy raking and limited trimming. Also want to protect the oak trees from too much summer watering.

Moving our picnic area from deck to slab keeps me from getting board.

My rock succulent garden was in the way of the porch stair plan, so I say good-by to this little gem. Demo is so much easier than creating.

The back corner is a safer place for my plants and a few carefully selected stones. This area is also "under construction".

The planter has survived pretty well with ladders and paint and cement on it, so the succulents and rocks will go to enthusiastic neighbors.

View from the back door shows the planter gone, we threw some artificial grass down to keep the dust controlled. Not sure how this area will sort out, but at least it is ready for action.

Note all of the field stones. They seem to multiply.

Rotten deck.

From the master window. We hope to get this area in shape before the construction is finished. Seems like a bit of a race at this point. The last thing I want is to get the house done and have 100 more projects out back.

"Tidy Friday" came this week and it was time for a real clean-up.  The yard has increasingly gotten more and more debris shoved into corners and along the fence. This is the deck after a full day of tidying.